'I can't speak' - Mourinho criticises ref after loss

Jose Mourinho said he "can't speak" astir refereeing decisions he felt led to Fenerbahce's exit from nan Champions League.

Mourinho believes his broadside tin spell acold successful nan Europa League - which they will now driblet into - if refereeing standards improve.

Fenerbahce's chances of Champions League advancement were ended connected Tuesday by a 118th-minute punishment awarded to opponents Lille for handball pursuing a video adjunct referee check.

Jonathan David converted nan footwear to make it 1-1 connected nan nighttime and springiness Lille a 3-2 aggregate triumph successful nan 3rd qualifying information tie.

It intends Mourinho's broadside will play successful nan Europa League adjacent season, a trophy he lifted pinch Manchester United successful 2017, having won it successful its erstwhile incarnation arsenic nan Uefa Cup pinch Porto successful 2003.

"We would ne'er triumph nan Champions League. We would ne'er scope nan Champions League final. Never," said Mourinho.

"But we spell to Europa League and successful Europa League if - if - I don't want to opportunity nan rest. I for illustration to enactment connected nan ifs."

Fenerbahce, trailing 2-1 from nan first leg, took nan crippled to other clip successful Istanbul aft an injury-time ain extremity from Bafode Diakite earlier David's penalty.

Mourinho added: "If we tin do a awesome Europa League. If, if, if. But we tin do a awesome Europa League pinch if. I can't speak much than nan if. If not I americium successful trouble."

Asked what he meant by 'if', Mourinho referenced nan conclusion he suffered pinch erstwhile broadside Roma successful nan 2023 Europa League last against Sevilla successful which he angrily confronted referee Anthony Taylor successful nan car parkland aft nan match.

"If you want to cognize much astir nan ifs, I induce you watch Roma-Sevilla successful nan Europa League last 2022-23 and you understand nan ifs," he added.

Mourinho's prime of words were akin to an question and reply nan Portuguese coach gave during his 2nd stint pinch Chelsea successful 2014.

Speaking aft a 1-0 conclusion by Aston Villa in which 2 Chelsea players were sent off, Mourinho said: "I for illustration not to speak. If I speak, I americium successful large trouble. In large trouble. And I don't want to beryllium successful large trouble."

Mourinho was appointed Fenerbahce head successful June aft being sacked by Roma successful January.